Systems and methods for multi-provider content-on-demand retrieval

• US 20090070231A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Azor, Frank Christopher, Kaminski, Darek
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

Systems and methods for retrieving multi-provider on-demand content through a common portal device are disclosed. The techniques described herein allow for multi-provider media content to be made available for retrieval to a user through a streamlined process thereby enhancing the user experience and likelihood of ordering on-demand content.

Claims

1. A method for providing multi-provider media content to a user, comprising:

displaying on a local display device a search interface to a user;

receiving search terms from the user;

accessing media content databases from a plurality of media content providers through a network connection;

searching the media content databases using the search terms;

obtaining search results from the plurality of media content providers concerning orderable media content items related to the search terms;

aggregating the search results;

displaying on the local display device at least one selectable option representing one or more orderable media content items;

receiving a user selection of a selectable option for an orderable media content item;

downloading media content through the network from one of the media content providers based upon the user selection; and

displaying on a local display device playback for the downloaded media content

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to control playback of the downloaded media content.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing an order transaction associated with the selected media content item without requiring the user to interact directly with the content provider.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising forwarding user information to the content provider for the content provider to use in processing an order transaction associated with the selected media content item.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to determine how the search results are organized when displayed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessing step comprises having a local portal device access media content databases through connections to provider websites.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessing step comprises having a local portal device communicate with a portal device server system that in turn accesses the media content databases through connects to provider websites.

8. The method of claim 1, accessing step comprises accessing the media content databases through the Internet.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying on a television and wherein the receiving step comprises receiving search terms through a television remote.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable options identify the content provider that is the source of the orderable media content item.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable options do not identify the content provider that is the source of the orderable media content item.

20. The portal system of claim 11, wherein the displayed media content does not include information about the content provider that is the source of the media content.

12. A portal system for providing multi-provider media content to a user, comprising:

a user interface module configured to output viewable information to a local display device and configured to receive user input;

a search module configured to search media content databases associated with a plurality of media content providers through a network connection using user entered search terms and configured to aggregate search results into at least one user selectable option for a plurality of orderable media content items from the plurality of media content providers; and

a content delivery module configured to download media content through the network from one of the media content providers based upon a user selection of an orderable media content item and configured to display downloaded media content on the a local display device.

13. The portal system of claim 12, further comprising a transaction module configured to process transactions for orders from the user for media content items without requiring the user to interact directly with the content provider.

14. The portal system of claim 12, further comprising a transaction module configured to send information to the content provider related to the user selected content ordered by the user.

15. The portal system of claim 12, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

16. The portal system of claim 12, further comprising a portal device server configured to communicate with the search module such that the search module accesses the media content databases through the portal device server.

17. The portal system of claim 12, wherein the user interface module is configured to allow the user to determine how the search results are organized when displayed.

18. The portal system of claim 12, further comprising a user input device configured to communicate with the portal system.

19. The portal system of claim 12, wherein the displayed media content items include information about the content provider that is the source of the media content.